Equity implications of the new youth allowance legislation for higher education students

The Australian Government is about to implement a Youth Allowance payment which will replace the AUSTUDY system currently providing financial assistance to students. Though the measure has been criticised by the opposition parties, it is actually more generous than the previous system. In particular, it will assist many of the thousands of higher education students who have recently lost their AUSTUDY entitlement due to the Government’s decision to increase the age at which students can apply for AUSTUDY as Independents from 22 to 25. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s